pysplits review

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

For speedrunners who prefer working in a terminal, pysplits is a small Python command-line timer with a user-configurable split list. You edit the list in the script, then run the program locally; keyboard controls start or resume timing, record the next split, stop, reset, and quit. The display refreshes continuously and formats elapsed times with millisecond display. Its scope suits solo runners and small-scale use more than teams looking for a hosted timing service.

The workflow is deliberately manual. Runners advance through their split list with a keyboard shortcut, rather than relying on automatic game detection or frame-accurate timing. That keeps the tool centered on timing and recording splits in the terminal, but makes it a poor fit for runs that require automated detection or precise frame-based measurement. There is no leaderboard integration, so runners who need timing connected to a broader tracking ecosystem should look elsewhere.

pysplits is open source under the MIT license, and the repository provides source code and setup requirements. Running it locally requires Python 3.11 and pynput; the project has no packaged releases, so users should be comfortable with a source-based setup. Those tradeoffs make pysplits a reasonable choice for technically comfortable runners who want a configurable, minimal manual timer and are happy to manage their own split list. Runners seeking automatic splits, frame accuracy, easier packaged installation, or leaderboard connectivity should choose another tool.

pysplits pros and cons

• Where it wins
  • Customizable split list edited directly in the script
  • Keyboard shortcuts control timing and manual split recording
  • Continuously refreshed terminal display shows milliseconds
• Where it doesn't
  • No automatic splitting or frame-accurate timing
  • No leaderboard integrations
  • Requires Python 3.11 and pynput, with no packaged releases

pysplits fact sheet, pricing and score →

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Last updated 9 Oct 2026 · How we research and update